Our recent alum, Bo, has left this world loved.  He arrived in rescue in May 2021 after his family experienced a tragedy and Bo ended up in a shelter. He was confused and shy, but he quickly realized he was safe with his foster mom Katie and she found his forever home with Robyn and Chris.  Tragically, Bo had cancer and it quickly spread through his body, so his happy success story was much shorter than we had hoped.
 
From his mom Robyn, “Although we only had a few months with Bo, we’ve made so many memories with him. He loved his sister Sora. He lost his GSP brother Enzo in December. Bo was a sweet gentle soul. He loved soft blankets, food and snuggles with mom and dad.  He liked to dig his head into your chest or under pillows. He danced and his head vibrated when you’re getting his food prepared. He loved his walks. Meeting people was great. We’ll miss everything about him. Thank you for the short time we spent with Bo knowing he left surrounded by love.”
 
"Listen for my footfall in your heart. I am not gone but merely walk within you." — Nicholas Evans  
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Another sad post – we lost our 2011 alumnus Chip on January 24th to geriatric vestibular syndrome. His family made the agonizing decision to let him go when his symptoms were too much for Chip to handle. 

Chip came to rescue after the shelter notified SEGSP that his owner was not caring for him properly and they were not returning him (Chip had visited the shelter many times and had been found under a bush in the snow – the final straw).  Chip hit the jackpot that day! 

From the moment his foster dad Greg picked him up, to the moment he left this earth, Chip was loved and treasured unconditionally by Ed, Diane and their entire family.  Diane would buy London broil and hand-feed him a little bit at a time as a snack each day - for 10 years.  He learned quickly that he could get cuddles at any time he wanted and soon took over the bed, knowing his parents wouldn’t object (they would just readjust). And since they didn’t know his exact birthdate, Ed and Diane’s granddaughter told Chip he could share her birthdate with her, May 24th, and they celebrated together every year. 

Yeah, we know Chip was one of the lucky ones and was loved every single day of his life. 
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Run pain-free sweet Chip…

​We’ve received such sad news… our 2011 alumna Heidi, who had surgery last summer to remove a mass that was a grade 3 adenocarcinoma, Heidi has passed away.
 
From her mom Alison, “Our house is so very broken-hearted. We had to make the unfortunate decision to let our precious Heidi go this morning. She got up and was her normal loving self this morning, but that quickly took a turn for the worse. Once the vet had a chance to examine her, they advised us there was a mass on her spleen that was bleeding significantly and her abdomen was full of blood. We were told in July 2021, after surgery to remove a grade 3 mammary tumor, that our time with her would be precious. Chemo was not recommended and surgery was incredibly difficult on her. Heidi completed our family. She was the puzzle piece we didn’t know we were missing. She loved chasing squirrels, cats, going on walks, camping, playing in the snow, sleeping in the sun, running and sniffing at my parents farm, attention from anyone, playing hide and seek with the boys, finding treats hidden for her around the house, sleeping in any human bed, snuggling, and over the past two years during COVID she has really enjoyed taking the kids to/from school or other activities. We were not ready for her to go this quickly. Truth be known it was hard to not be selfish this morning because we want her by our side like we are used to. I want to thank Southeast GSP Rescue for everything you do for all of the pups that come through your rescue. I hope that Heidi knew how very much she was loved. It has been the best 10 years with her in our family. We will be lost without her…”
 
“If I know what love is, it is because of you.” Herman Hesse

Coca was 13 years old and laid to rest by her parents, Andres and Yamilka on February 1st.  Coca was special to our Florida team because she helped mentor two SEGSP dogs her parents fostered, Dierks and Daisy Mae.
From her family, “Coca was truly a family member. Her disposition was sweeter than molasses. She was a gentle soul, friendly to all: human and dog alike. Her past of abuse and abandonment was never evident in her noble character and demeanor. We were fortunate to have her in our lives over these past seven years.”
 
Run free sweet Coca…
 
“Those we love never truly leave us. There are things that death cannot touch.”  Jack Thorne

​Josie came to rescue in 2007 and was fostered by our longtime foster volunteers Michael and Amy.  Josie was their very first foster dog and Michael would take her to the local field trial grounds and she would follow him off-leash while he was on horseback.  Their careful choice in Josie’s forever home at age 1, allowed her to thrive for 15 more years living the good life with her forever family. 
 
From the McCraney family, “We said goodbye to our beautiful Josie on Saturday. She was 16 years old when she crossed over the rainbow bridge. She was such a huge part of our family and the sweetest dog I've ever known. In 2007, we were blessed that SE GSP Rescue and Michael Shirley chose us to be the family for a 1-year-old gun shy bird dog. She exemplified all the characteristics of a GSP - extremely loving, avid hunter, goofy, wicked smart, and a total velcro dog. Our hearts are broken and the house is too quiet - but we are comforted in knowing that she is able to chase squirrels, chipmunks, and lizards again. We know she is looking down on us wiggling with excitement.”
 
“How very quietly you tiptoed into our world, silently, only a moment you stayed.  But what an imprint your footprints have left upon our hearts.”  Unknown  

With heavy hearts, we share that our 2021 alumnus Jimmy has passed away.  He was found as a stray with Tucker and Willow in South Carolina, was fostered by Natalie and she found the most amazing family for Jimmy. This has been devastating for everyone Jimmy touched along his short journey.  Jimmy’s family asked that we share this from them,
“It is with the heaviest heart that my husband and I share that our rescue, Jimmy, was in an accident this week. In just the briefest moment he jumped/climbed our fence and was hit by a car. He was killed instantly.  Jimmy absolutely changed our lives in such a short time. He was so incredibly loving, and he was making such great progress in overcoming his anxiety. We enjoyed countless walks/runs, hikes in the mountains, playing in the snow, and snacking on carrots. We are absolutely heartbroken. Our home is much quieter and we are missing his sweet snuggles.  We are so thankful for the work that you do, and we are blessed to have known the love of a GSP.  Love, Sam & Garrett”
Run free sweet Jimmy – no more fences, only beautiful bridges to explore…
 
“Seeing death as the end of life is like seeing the horizon as the end of the ocean.”  David Searles

The General, our 2019 alumnus, has hung up his sword and left this world for his next assignment at the Rainbow Bridge. His paperwork shows him turning 17 in June and although his past life was quite challenging (he was skin and bone when he came to rescue), the last 3 years of his life were heaven on earth with the Parson family. 
 
From his forever mom Michelle, “We said goodbye to The General this morning. Matt and I held him in our arms as he peacefully passed at his vet clinic. It was one of the hardest goodbyes ever.  You were my special boy and I was your “woman!” from the moment I first met you on May 5, 2019 til the last minute I held you today. I was blessed by Southeast GSP Rescue and Paolina Green to be his mommy for the last 3 years of his life. Our time together was too short but your impact on all of us and so many other people will live on. Run free sweet boy patrolling all you want and getting all those errands done. We will love you forever.” 
 
“Get correct views of life, and learn to see the world in its true light. It will enable you to live pleasantly, to do good, and, when summoned away, to leave without regret.” General Robert E. Lee